Sulochana (Ramayana)

Ravana's virtuous daughter-in-law Sulochana receives the head of her husband Indrajit, who has been killed by Lakshmana

Sulochana (Sanskrit: सुलोचना, lit. she whose eyes are beautiful) was the daughter of the king of the serpents Sheshanaga, who is mentioned in the Indian epic Ramayana. She was married to Indrajit (Meghanada) who was the eldest son of demon king Ravana, who defeated Indra, hence received his title.

In the ballad Meghnad Bodh Kavya, Prameela is said to be Indrajit's wife. So, it can reasonably be assumed that Sulochana was also known as Prameela.

Sulochana was very brave and exhibited this virtue when the Indrajit, her husband, was going in war with Rama and his younger brother Lakshmana, she supported her husband by not crying and never stopped or requested to not to got in war.

Though it is neither written in Valmiki Ramayana nor Tulasi Ramayana(written in the 15th century A.D) i.e. Sri Ramacharit Manas whereas it is mentioned Telugu version of Ramayana(written in the 14th century A.D) by Gona Budda Reddy and a later Ananda Ramayana, some scholars say that after the death of Indrajit did Sati with her husband's funeral pyre, while doing so she consoled her children by saying they will be safe in the hands of Vibhishana, thus predicting the death of Ravana.

In popular culture

Her story has been the base of many films, including Sati Sulochana (1921) directed by G.V. Sane. a silent film, followed by Sati Sulochana, the 1934 Kannada film was the first Kannada language talkie film, also Sati Sulochana in Telugu starring N. T. Rama Rao.

"The Ballad of Sulochana" is a favourite ballad of Marathi women, sung in most families. Noted Tamil scholar S. K. Ramarajan wrote a noted epyllion, "Meganadham", the tragedy of Indrajit, known for its characterisation of Indrajit's wife Sulochana.

External links

• Valmiki Ramayana Book X. War in Ceylon (Lanka Kanda) translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1870–1874)